Tiger Columns fire temporarily closes Eighth Street

A trash can fire broke out today at 7:38 a.m. at Tiger Columns, a retirement community located on Eight Street in downtown Columbia.

After a fire alarm activation alerted the Columbia Fire Department, two trucks were sent to the scene. Additional vehicles were sent after smoke was spotted coming from a trash can in the building's first floor smoking lounge.

Lieutenant Amy Barrett said that as of this morning, the fire's exact cause had not been determined.

Traffic had been blocked from entering part of Eighth Street.

The fire was put out at 7:45 a.m., and thus evacuation procedures were ended.